Air-compressor.



F. E. HUPFORD.

AIR COMPRESSOR. APPLICATION FILEI-D MAR. 8, 1913. 7 1,094,994. Patented Apr 28, 1914,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F.-E. HUFPORD. AIR COMPRESSOR.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. a, 1913 1,094,994. Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

4 2 sums-$11531 2.

3% g attomu" FLOYD E. HUFFOBD, E MILFORD, ILLINOIS.

AIR-COMPRESSOR.

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FLOYD E. HUFFORD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Milford, in the county of Iroquois and State of Illinois, have, inventednew and useful Improvements in Air-Compressors, of which i the following is a specification.

In the operation of vehicles it is desirable to provide a tank containing air under pressure which may be utilized for a Variety of purposes such as inflatingtires, forcing fuel and lubricant to the required points of use and for operating signals, brakes and the like. It; is also advantageous toprevent the rebound of the springs so as to avoid recoil, which is injurious alike to the springs and parts of the vehicle as Well as uncomfortable and at times dangerous to the occupant.

I der pressure and also to prevent violent re.

The present invention provides unique means for utilizing the action of the springs of a vehicle for charging a tank with air unbound of such springs when compressed by a wheel of the vehicle dropping into a rut or depression or passing over an obstruction.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, lllustrated 1n the accompanying drawings, and. pointed out 111 the appended claim.

- Fig. 2 is a side view of a vehicle spring of the elliptlcaltype, showlng the invention 111 position. Fig. 8.is a transverse section on the line m-,;v, of Fig. 2.. Fig. lis a detail view, showing the clamp for connecting the links to a member of the'spring. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the clamp.

Fig. 6 is a side view of an elliptic spring provided with a shock absorber embodying the invention, showing more clearly the" means for holding't-he cylinder in a 'fixed relative position.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the same reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates a tank which may be locate in any convenient position upon the vehi 1e and which is adapted to contain air under pressure to be used for any.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 8, 191 3. Serial No. 753,0M.

Patented Apr.

desired purpose, such as inflating the tires, operating the brake or forcing fuel or lubricant to the required points.

The numeral 2 designates a spring of the vehicle which may be of any type and which as, rare.

is .shown as consisting of the elliptical. va-

riety. The air compressor is arranged in ceiiperative relation with the spring to be actuated thereby on the rebound'so as not to interfere with its free compression when a wheel of the vehicle passes over an obstruction or drops into a depression. A pipe 3 connects the compressor with the tank 1 for conveying the air discharged from the compressor to the tank. An outwardly opening check valved prevents back pressure .of air from the tank.

The air compressor comprises a cylinder 5 which is provided at a central point with valve controlled air inlet 6. The pipe 3 also connects with the cylinder 5 at a central point. Pistons are arranged to operate in end portions of the cylinder 5 and rods 8 connected thereto pass through stutling boxes fitted to the ends of the cylinder, A cross head 9 is secured to the outer end of each rod 8 and links lO connect the arms of the crosshead with the members of the spring 2. The parts are arranged so-that the pistons 7 move sin'iultaneously in opposite directions Upon the outstroke of the pistons, due to compression of the vehicle spring, air is drawn into the middle portion of the cylinder through the inlet 6 and. upon the instroke of the pistons, due to the rebound or return of the spring to normal position, the air previously drawn into the cylinder is expelled therefrom and is directed to the tank 1 by means of the pipe 3. To prevent any side strain upon the vehicle spring the links 10 are provided in pairs and have an opposite irrclination. There are four -pairs or sets of links,

two above and two below the compressor.

- pairs of cars 12, a plate l3and connecting bolts 14. The plate 11 is placed against the inner side of a member of the vehicle spring and the plate 13 1s placed against the outer side of such member, thebolts le connecting end portions of the plates atthe sides ofthe spring. The cars 12 are pierced and re and - ceive bolts 15 which pass through openings formed in the. outer ends of the links 10. A spacing sleeve 16 is mounted upon each of the bolts 15 with its ends touching the inner sides of the links mounted on such bolt so as to confine the links between the ears l2 and the extremities of the spacing sleeve.

-.vented and discomfort to the occupant of the vehicle overcome. It is to be understood that the invention may be adapted to any one or each of the springs of a vehicle 'irre spective-of the kind of spring with which the vehicle may bev fitted. Oil cups 17 are fitted to the sides of the cylinder near the ends thereof. for lubricating the pistons.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawii'igs,

the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claim appended hereto.

A. lever 18 is mounted at a central oint upon the cylinder ,5 and its ends are connected by'rods 19 with the cross heads 9. As the pistons 7 move outward the cross heads. 9 separate and through the rods 19 cause the lever 18 to turn about its pivotal connection with the cylinder 5, thereby holding the latter in a central or fixed relative position, thereby preventing any relative endwise movement of the cylinder. To. prevent interference of the lever 18 with the valves it is preferred to provide such lever with-a ring or band at a central point and to have such ring or band mounted upon the casing of the valve to turn thereon.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

In combination, two members arranged to move in opposition, a cylinder located midway between such members at right angles to their line of movement, pistons arranged to move in opposite ends of the cylinder, oppositely inclined links connecting the outer end of each piston rod with the before mentioned members, a lever mounted intermedi ate of its ends upon the 'cylinder and normally inclined to the line of movement of the pistons and the said opposed members and links connectingthe extremities of said lever with the piston rods.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FLOYD E. IIUFFORD.

NVitnesses:

L. V. WILLIAns, C. SiNN. 

